The Man in the Mirror

...a brilliant song...always saddened by the allegations. - but a brilliant man nonetheless.

Randy Pausch, Last Lecture Author Dies

Very rarely am I moved by a YouTube video.  Sometimes I find them funny...sometimes interesting - but very rarely am I truly touched. 

That was until I stumbled upon Randy Pausch's last lecture.  It made me laugh.   It made me cry.  It  made me feel encouraged...and best of all, it made me remember how blessed I am. 

If you haven't listened to the lecture...I've posted it below. 

Randy leaves behind three young children and an adoring wife whose courage is also inspiring. I remember an interview she did where she discussed the inevitability of losing her husband (and the father of her children).  Her response...."I have everything I need".   She says it is her motto. 

Thanks to Randy's inspirational message and his wife's courage...it is my motto too.

God bless you Randy.  You will be missed. 

On a Serious Note…Waiting Children from Africa

 
This is my sister and brother in-laws blog.  My sister in-law is spending her days in an orphanage in Ethiopia waiting for her newly adopted daughter (Eden) to be released to her by the court system there. 

While bonding with her daughter she's met dozens of amazing children who desperately need homes.  Please read this post to learn more about one little boy who had his hopes of adoption shattered yesterday when he was diagnosed with HIV.  Please pass it along and share it with families you know who may open their homes to a waiting child.

I write a lot about simplicity in this blog and scaling back.  It is almost embarrassing to look back at my posts about "making life easier" when you consider the life of an orphan like "John" who would give anything just to have a home.

Please read Nancy's post...and take a moment to donate or learn more about the plight of AIDS orphans from these links...

 

In the News: FDA: Bisphenol A Bottles are Safe

If you are a new mother or expecting mother you are probably aware of the controversy regarding Bisphenol-A or "BPA" for short.  This is a chemical found in some plastic baby bottles that could increase cancer risks or cause brain abnormalities (according to some reports).

I am the guilt-ridden mother of two young children who used Avent bottles exclusively when they were babies.  Needless to say, I was thankful to read this recent news article - but somewhat skeptical. 

Knowing that this was even *somewhat* of a concern (at least concerning enough to get stores to pull BPA bottles off of the shelves) I am not so sure I would risk using them ever again. 

Here is the rest of the article...

What are your thoughts?  Post them in the comments section.

You can get alternative baby bottles (BPA-free and glass) at www.discountorganicbaby.com.

Behind the Scenes of the Anderson Family Holiday Card

Anyone who has preschoolers understands the challenges of trying to get a great shot for a holiday card.  I am pretty sure you'll relate to the effort it took for me to get a great picture of my 3 & 4 year old kiddos for our Christmas card. 

.....and after 30 minutes of spitting, fighting, hugging, kissing and threatening....ta-da!

This is hysterical – Jenna Bush on Ellen

I am not going to get into a political discussion about George Bush's policies, the war, or anything else even remotely controversial.

Frankly, I could care less if you like the man or not.  Chances are, 50% of you can't stand him.  All political debates aside, It would be hard to argue that this man is not a great father and husband (roles even more important than the American presidency).

Ironically, I named my own daughter "Jenna" after her.  Not because I was a big Bush fan but because I heard the name on the news one afternoon (probably because of some underage drinking scandal) and I loved it. 

Thankfully, I am able to finally (and proudly) tell my daughter who she was named after.  Here are two Jenna Bush clips I've fallen in love with. 

The first is a clip where she calls her dad from the Ellen show...it is hysterical.  The second is the one that makes me excited to tell my daughter whom she was named after.

Enjoy!

 

It’s Official – I’m Loaded…How About You?

It has been an exciting week for my family.  For the first time since I decided to quit my full-time job and stay home with my children...our bank account is starting to grow vs. dwindle into oblivion!  Woo hoo!  I feel rich! 

I know that I am blessed beyond comprehension...yet I remember spending the last few years constantly stressed about my decision to stay home.   I would almost sweat every time I opened the bank statement.   I was hesitant to give generously because I was afraid that I would be spending our kids' lunch money or college tuition.

It was almost ironic that I found this website today.   Whenever I start my little bank-account pity-party I am going to visit the site and type in my current income. 

As of right now our family is in the top 2% for wealth and we are the 103,478,261 richest family in the world. Not bad, huh?

Take a moment to check out the site.  Type in your family income and see how rich you really are.  It is quite the eye-opener, isn't it?

How rich are you? >>I'm loaded. It's official. I'm the 103,478,261 richest person on earth!

Technorati Tags: wealth , rich , how rich are you , giving , charity , donating , give back , global weath test , global rich list , globalrichlist.com

Two Angry Moms – Determined to Change School Lunches

A few minutes ago I posted the local public school menu onto a community calendar blog I operate.  I don't normally give much thought to the meals our local schools serve our children, but I will soon. 

My daughter will be attending school next year and quite honestly, I was a bit distraught by the "hot-lunch" choices she will be getting.  "Hot Pockets", "Mac and Cheese", "Pizza"

Trust me, I am not opposed to feeding my kids quick and easy "pop in the microwave" foods.  But it appears that the local schools are essentially serving glorified fast foods.

If you are concerned about school menus and the health of your children watch this video and visit this website:  Two Angry Moms.com.  It has a wealth of resources from how you can create healthy bagged lunches to how you can start your own school wellness council.

Technorati Tags: healthy , school lunches , kids meals , school menu , two angry moms , school wellness council , hot lunches , school hot lunches , healthy lunch ideas

Donate 10 Cents to a Childrens’ Charity…With Just One Click

I've always loved this website.   Tiny Prints.com makes the most adorable photo cards and greeting cards. 

Now...I love them twice as much. 

All you need to do is click here and choose your favorite children's charity.  Click it...and they will donate 10 cents. 

Oh...and if you want to support a really cool site in return, grab a few holiday cards, photo cards or invitation.  (No obligation, of course...I just think you'll fancy them as much as I do). =)

Click here to donate your ten cents.   (It all adds up!)

Technorati Tags: childrens charities , donate , tiny prints , photo greeting cards , holiday cards , unique holiday cards , christmas postcards , charity , christmas giving , christmas charity ideas

Help – My 3 Year Old Has ‘Roid Rage

Last year (almost to the date) my son ended up in the hospital for a week due to a severe case of croup.   Two days ago, I heard the classic "barking" sound coming from his bedroom.  I took him to the Dr. and they put him on a single steroid dose to prevent his condition from getting as severe as last time.

For the past 24 hours, my son has been going through what I could only describe as "roid-rage".   He is normally the sweetest, most laid back little boy...

But today...not so much.

He wanted Cheerios for breakfast instead of eggs..."Mommy - you are NOT my best friend".

He wanted to wear boots and I wouldn't let him..."Mommy - you are naughty to me".

He freaked out when his sister grabbed his stuffed turtle and literally tackled her on the living room floor...

He turned his blanket into a cape and was jumping off our furniture.  When I told him to stop it, he yelled back, "I'm a superhero...you can't say no to me". 

....and the highlight of my day....he decided to climb in the laundry basket and slide down the steps.  Needless to say...that little trick didn't end well.

I feel like my sweet little boy has turned into a professional wrestler with PMS. 

Would love your feedback....Have you ever experienced this? 

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